Page 8 - SDWM Amy Haber CoverGirl

Women of Distinction
Marisa Calderon

By Judith A. Habert
Photos Courtesy of Marisa Calderon

Marisa attended the University of in this particular disappointment. “That
California at Berkeley and initially intend pause in schooling allowed me to reassess
on a career in law or medicine and found what I wanted to do, and it also served me
a major she hadn’t expected to love, well because when I returned to school, I
anthropology. As with most college grad- met my husband, Chris. We never would
uates, it is not unusual to decide on a to- have crossed paths had I not had that
tally unrelated career. Marisa ended up in speed bump along the way.”
the financial services industry. “Honestly It was almost seven years after they
anthropology couldn't be a more perfect started dating, that they married. “Mostly
fit for me because it is really the study of because I was very career oriented, I never
humankind. It’s an intentional observa- envisioned myself married. I never envi-
tion of a people or culture to learn and sioned myself with kids. I was always very
It didn’t take me long after meeting understand, without judgment based on career focused, and I had this impression
Marisa Calderon to realize that she is a very your own cultural lens or taboos.” that anything other than being focused on
special woman. When someone obviously Marisa’s worked throughout college to my career would get in the way of reaching
cares deeply for others it is easy to see. help pay her tuition. Ironically, it turned my goals.”
Marisa has a caring heart and is the type out she earned too much money to qualify Luckily Marisa’s husband was a very
of person with whom we all wish we could for financial aid. “I made too much to be patient and supportive partner. “I can't
be best friends. She is focused on helping able to qualify for the funding that I was say enough about how much I appreci-
those around her and works tirelessly to getting. At the time I was only making ate him because after college I moved to
advocate for those who need it the most. $6.25 an hour and I was eating ramen New Orleans to pursue my new position
Marisa was born nearby at March because I couldn't afford anything else. I with Sears Credit. There were several
Air Force Base and refers to herself as a could not understand how I was making other moves along the way. We moved to
military brat, having traveled all over the too much when I was having trouble even Atlanta, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, and San
country and even spent some time living paying for rent. So, this caused me to have Antonio and he was right there with me.
in Japan. Marisa and her family ended up to take a pause on school. I took a three- Chris knew that I wanted to be able to
back in California when her parents were year break between my junior and senior move up in the company, and have more
stationed at Norton Air Force Base in San years of college and moved back to South- opportunity to do more for us as a couple,
Bernardino. Her mom and dad were both ern California to try and earn enough to as a family, and to be there for my parents
Military members and her mom joined the be able to pay for that last year of school. and sister.”
Air Force right after high school and even I ended up getting a job at Sears Credit They did eventually marry and are
volunteered to go to Vietnam, though it Services, not a job that I ever would have the proud parents of two children, their
was her father who served in Vietnam as a considered to be a career job.” oldest, Artemis is 16, and their son Con-
medic in the Air Force. Marisa worked in customer service nor, 11. Although the concept of marriage
At the time, serving in a war would and since she was a hard worker and and starting a family frightened her in the
have been unheard of for female recruits. bi-lingual she did well in her position beginning, she quickly realized how im-
“They steered my mom toward an enlisted and earned enough money to finish her portant it was to her life. “If I didn't have
career in medical administration. She did degree. “I wanted to be the master of my the family that I have, if I wasn't a partner
not yet have a college degree, though she destiny and do something of my choosing, and a mom, I would be a very different
later earned her degree at the age of 54. She not limited by what was available to me person. And I maintain that my kids are
was very dedicated to the military, and she without a degree. I went back to finish my really a driving strength for me. Kids have
rose in the ranks to the highest rank that last year at Cal and when I was finished an amazing ability to increase your heart's
an enlisted person could obtain. She was that same company wanted me to come capacity to love and they teach you how to
a Chief Master Sergeant when she retired back. Post-degree, I came back in a more be a more empathetic person. They have
after 33 years in the Air Force. I credit her, desirable position and even helped to pilot truly made me better at what I do because
her tenacity, and her resilience for who I a management training program which I feel like I can be a better person to the
am today. My mom and dad met in the they proceeded to use across the country. people that I work with. I'm even more
military and my sister just recently retired Although at the time, having to drop focused on helping those around me to
from the Air Force. So, a lot of military out of college seemed like a negative Mari- identify what they want to do to be the
service within my family.” sa soon realized that there was serendipity best version of themselves. I don't believe

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